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Today in Focus

How dangerous is it to live in a damp, mouldy home?

Today in Focus

The Guardian

News, Daily News

4.65.9K Ratings

🗓️ 28 November 2022

⏱️ 32 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

The death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak from exposure to mould has shown the consequences of uninhabitable homes. But how many people are living in similarly unhealthy conditions and what can be done to protect their health?. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Transcript

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0:00.0

This is the Guardian.

0:08.4

Today, how dangerous is it to live in a dumb, moldy home?

0:24.1

It's disgusting. It's ugly.

0:26.9

But it's not that uncommon.

0:30.9

Black speckles of mold can be found spreading across the walls and ceilings of thousands of homes in the UK.

0:38.9

Yet recently it's become horribly clear how dangerous it can be living in dumb, moldy conditions.

0:46.9

For one little boy, two-year-old Abhabishak, it has already cost him his life.

0:52.9

We've been awaiting the results of a coroner's inquest into the death of Abhabishak.

1:00.9

The ruling is that he died of a result of severe respiratory condition caused due to prolonged exposure to mold in his house.

1:08.9

For others, the fear of what mold is doing to their health has become all-consuming.

1:16.9

So they deliver oxygen tanks two or three times a week. I've got a huge machine next door which is an oxygen concentrator.

1:26.9

I also have to do my inhaler. I've had to sat in the alarm on my phone for all my medication.

1:32.9

Michael Gove, the Minister for Housing, insists this must be a moment that brings change.

1:38.9

Well, it's already the case that this tragedy has shown a light on what needs to change in social housing.

1:44.9

We're bringing forward legislation. That legislation will make sure that the housing associations who are responsible for social housing are held to account.

1:54.9

This tragedy should never have occurred. For Jane, it may already be too late.

2:00.9

She's now living with a potentially terminal lung condition and she's fighting a legal battle to help people like her.

2:08.9

So what should work for the message that Michael Gove?

2:12.9

Well, how about supporting my case? I mean, certainly a precedent. Or doing something to enable people in this position to make claims.

2:20.9

Because I'm fully of the opinion that unless they get hit in the wallet nothing's going to be done.

2:30.9

She's not alone. As energy prices saw and people find it even more difficult to keep their homes warm and dry.

2:38.9

Mold and damp is only set to get worse. But what can be done to protect people living in these grim conditions?

...

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